Author: tristan

Whittlesey Rifle Club President and Paralympic legend Matt Skelhon added a brilliant European Silver Medal to his record at the WSPS European Championships in Osijek, Croatia last week (6th October 2025).

Competing in the R3 10m Air Rifle Prone event, one of the most precision-based target shooting disciplines, Matt battled through a tough qualification and a world-class final to claim silver. The R6 50m Prone Rifle event, held outdoors, didn’t bring another medal this time, with colder than expected conditions likely affecting scores.

Matt told the club that he was very happy to win silver in his first major since the Paris Paralympics.

Club Chairman David Ransome added: “Seventeen years at the elite level, five Paralympics behind him and a sixth ahead is a superhuman achievement. This Silver is a powerful reminder that Matt is still right at the top of his sport. A European Major silver represents amazing consistency and a real inspiration for our club competitors and volunteers.”

Photo Permissions Matt Skelhon.

Insta | Facebook | X

Whittlesey Rifle Club president and Paralympic gold medallist Matt Skelhon has returned to the top of the podium, winning gold at the Novi Sad WSPS Grand Prix in Serbia on 28th September, setting a new British record.

Although not a world record qualifying competition, his amazing score did beat the standing world record figure and underlined his return to top-level performance ahead of the WSPS European Championships in Osijek, Croatia.

Skelhon said it was good to be back competing against a strong field, with winning gold leaving him “over the moon”. After a year focused on training since the Paris Paralympics, he added he was “bang on” and in great form for the European Championships which start in late September.

Whittlesey Rifle Club, which is aiming for a new home as part of the redevelopment of the town’s Manor Leisure Centre, hailed his success. Club Development Officer Alan Bessant said: “We celebrate the hard work of all our volunteers and target shooters. Matt’s latest gold and British record makes us intensely proud. Having our president competing at elite level is really inspiring, especially for our young people and members with disabilities. With Fenland District Council’s support we have a modernised club building in our sights, which we plan will become a regional centre of excellence to encourage and train the next generation.”

Matt Skehlon was presented with a coveted Blue Plaque yesterday in recognition of his achievement in the sport or target shooting.

Members of the Whittlesey Rifle Club were joined by the High Sheriff the Honourable Frances Stanley DL, the town’s Mayor Alex Miscandlon, Whittlesey Rotary Club President Jim Saunders, Town and District Councillor Dee Laws and County Councillor Michael Fisher, to unveil a Blue Plaque celebrating his achievements.

Matt said the club, “was a key part in his early years of training ahead of his first Paralympics”, and that “it is an honour to unveil the plaque on the range in his name”.

What an excellent time we had at the unveiling of a blue plaque for Paralympian Matt Skehlon and the Whittlesey Big Bash 2025.

Over 70 people were able to try the sport of target shooting at the same place Matt practised for the Beijing Paralympics.

Members of the WRC turned out to support our club President during his Paralympic competition.

Unfortunately Matt didn’t win a medal, but we still had a great turnout.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Greatest Hits Radio also did interviews and the Mayor posed for photos.

Being elected for a Fifth Paralympic Games is a massive achievement and Matt’s successes deserve recognition and the fitting of the blue plaque at the club, will be the icing on the cake.

Well done Matt! You are truly an inspiration to the Whittlesey Town and an ambassador for the sport of shooting that all abilities can enjoy.